436 Becolleciioiis of a Tour made in May, 1839, 



the magnificent bridges by which they cross, or are crossed by, the turnpike 

 roads, because that would lead us out of our province. We cannot, however, 

 help expressing our admiration at the science exhibited in these works, and 

 especially in the bridges of the London and Birmingham railway, even as seen 

 during a rapid transit beneath them. The stupendous cuttings in some places, 

 the high embankments in others, the lofty bridges crossing the road every now 

 and then, the tunnels in which all is darkness, and the beautiful and extensive 

 views from the embankments and viaducts, render this road, which hypotheti- 

 cally might be considered dull and monotonous, actually full of variety. We 

 recommend the reader to consult an admirable article on the subjects treated 

 of in this part of our tour in the Architectural Magazine, vol. v., entitled 

 " Fragments connected with Architecture and the Arts, from a Provincial 

 Tour. By H. N. Humphreys, Esq." 



Observing different modes of treating the ground on the margins of deep 

 cuttings and high embankments, and plantations of mixed trees introduced in 

 some places, and willows in others, we amused ourselves, while on the rail- 

 way, in considering how the good earth buried in the immense embankments 

 could be turned to account ; and we can think of no way likely to be more 

 effective than planting the sides with oaks, to be cut down periodically as 

 coppice ; or planting them with black Italian poplars, or Huntingdon willows, 

 to be cut down when they grow so large as to prevent sufficient evaporation 

 from the road. Where the direction of the railway is south and north, trees 

 might be allowed to grow on each side to any height ; but where it is east and 

 west, the trees on the south side might require to be thinned occasionally, for 

 the sake of admitting light and air. There is not, however, the same objec- 

 tion to shading a railway with trees that there is to shading a common road ; 

 because, whether the surface of the railroad is dry or moist can make no dif- 

 ference to the speed of the carriages or the comfort of the passengers ; nor 

 could the sinking of the embankments be increased by the shade, because no 

 more rain will fall on it than if it were open. With regard to the sloping faces 

 which form the sides of the deep cuttings, we know not what the ultimate 

 intention of the railway proprietors is ; but, as far as we have been able to 

 form an opinion respecting these steep banks, it is, that, after enclosing 2 or 3 

 feet on each side of the railwaj', the remainder of the surface should be re- 

 duced to such a slope as would render it fit for agricultural purposes, and let 

 to the occupiers of the adjoining lands, or sold to the proprietors. We can- 

 not conceive how retaining these slopes in the possession of the railway com- 

 pany can afford them any annual profit worth mentioning, either under the 

 spade or plough, grass or coppice ; but, if subjected to a rotation, or even 

 kept under perpetual pasture, a farmer would be able to afford the same ave- 

 rage rent for them which he paid for the rest of his farm. To reduce the slopes 

 so as to render their under surface fit for agricultural purposes, would not be 

 so expensive a work as may at first sight appear. Supposing the surface to 

 form an angle of 45°, which is as steep a slope as can be ventured on, where 

 the surface is intended to be covered with earthy material, not solid rock ; then 

 by raising a perpendicular wall or facing of masonry, within 3 ft. of the road, on 

 each side, the ground may be filled up behind it, and a hedge planted 3 or 4 

 feet further back, the base of which should be 1 or 2 feet higher than the top 

 of the wall, and then the bank may be lowered, taking care to preserve the 

 surface soil of the portion which is to be thrown into the adjacent field, and 

 distribute it equally. 



In the section fig. 94., a is the railway; b, the parapet wall; c, the hedge; 

 d e, the slope at an angle of 45°; and d f, the slope at a cultivatable angle. 



Surfaces, partly of rock and partly of soil, that would stand at an angle 

 greater than 45°, might be planted with oak and birch ; and strata of solid 

 rock might have the sides nearly perpendicular. By proceeding in this way, 

 all the spare ground that was not absolutely wanted for the track of the rail- 

 way would be turned to good account? instead of being unproductive, or co- 

 vered with weeds, as it is at present. 



